California Wildfires

Coverage of brush fires across the state

Wednesday, Jul 12, 2017

A wildfire that began Friday July 7, 2017 in the grassy foothills of the Sierra Nevada Mountains destroyed homes and forced evacuations in the Northern California community of Oroville.

The wildfire ripped through properties, leaving behind burned out buildings and vehicles, five months after downpours and concerns about an eroding spillway at the nation's tallest dam forced thousands to evacuate in Oroville, about 70 miles north of Sacramento.

Authorities estimated that more than 41 homes and 55 other buildings were destroyed by the fire. Some residents had returned home by Tuesday, but thousands remained evacuated and homes are still threatened. The blaze burned nearly 9 square miles and injured four firefighters.

It was one of 14 large wildfires -- fires of 300 acres or more -- burning in California during early July.

More than 41 homes have been destroyed by the wildfire, which left behind burned vintage cars, furniture, kitchen appliances and other items near Oroville, California. The Wall Fire started on July 7, 2017 and continued to threaten homes in the foothills of the Sierra Nevada Mountains.